662.001/8–2752: Telegram

No. 131
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union1

secret

234. 1. You will have seen from draft note in Deptel to London 1470 (rptd Moscow 220, Paris 1191, Bonn 995, Berlin 123)2 Dept incorporated verbatim much of language suggested Embtel 377 (rptd London 33, Paris 95, Bonn 24, Berlin 27E.3 Particularly agree with usefulness seeking puncture Sov double talk on Ger.

2. Have given careful consideration also to views expressed Embtel 378 (rptd London 34, Paris 96, Bonn 25, Berlin 28)4 as to possible courses of action. Agree fully that tripartite replies cause excessive delay and bad drafting, and believe long continuance of exchange leading to progressive indifference and skepticism. This is due more to Sov notes than to ours, however in Dept’s opinion, and we think some of our notes have been well recd publicly and have aided in exposing Sov motives.

3. Wld certainly welcome relief from necessity sending identical replies but conclude this is must. Having followed practice for long time believe departure wld lead Sovs and world to conclude serious differences had arisen among West Powers. Sovs wld see such differences where none really existed. However, notes wld inevitably reflect some differences of approach and emphasis and these wld certainly be exploited.

4. Agree with your doubts that present is proper time begin extensive oral soundings although Dept considers discussion Ger problem orally with Sovs wherever contacts arise or exist which permit it cld certainly well go on in conjuction with notes.

5. You will have noted from Deptel 193 (rptd London 1331, Paris 1078, Bonn 899)5 we too wld like to terminate correspondence. Do not believe Ger, Fr or Brit opinion will permit us to do this in so many words but have sought in our draft achieve same result by implication.

6. Dept agrees fully with your feeling main emphasis shld be on elections rather than Comm. Have sought in our draft emphasize elections as really important and practical step we strive for and to treat Comm in this context. At same time believe you have overlooked [Page 311] fact western notes of Apr 9 [May 13]6 specifically proposed not only that Comm investigate conditions but that it recommend what steps shld be taken create necessary conditions. This proposal was reiterated in our replies July 10.7 UN res creating a Comm specifically stated this as one of Comm’s tasks. Proposal for comm is not archness or insincerity. It is best practical means Dept knows for getting at problem of holding free elections.

7. Dept pleads guilty to sponsoring draft which is longer than we wld wish. If one person cld write all notes and completely control their course, they wld doubtless shape up differently but after considering development of ideas in past notes and anticipated views of our Allies. Dept doubts whether present note can be made more brief.

Acheson
  1. Drafted by Laukhuff and cleared by Morris, Barbour, and Williamson. Repeated to London, Paris, Bonn, and Berlin.
  2. Document 129.
  3. See footnote 2, Document 128.
  4. Document 128.
  5. Printed as telegram 1078, Document 126.
  6. Document 101.
  7. Document 124.